Peeling machine



Nov. 19, 1957 A. A. E. POUZOULET FEELING MACHINE Filed Oct. 24. 1955 15s: WQMMSQW United AStates Patent M 2,813,562 PEELING MACHINE Andr Auguste Edmond Ponzoulet, Paris, France, as-

signor to Socit dEtude etdExploitation Chimieet Mecanique E. C. E. M. (Socit Responsabrllte Limite), Bagnolet, France, a `corporation of France Application October 24, 1955, Serial No. 542,211 `Claims priority, application France October 25, 1954 4 Claims.` (Cl. 1116-49) The present invention relates to peelingmachines comprising a cylindrical vessel the inner face of at least some wallgthereof is provided with abrasive elevated portions and in the interior of whichextend peeling fingers also having abrasive` properties and ,resiliently connected to a support rotatively driven and coaxial with the vessel.

It has beenlfound that thepeeling fingers are rapidly worn out owing to the presence of many foreign `matters such as sand and mineral` fragments mingled with the roots, fruits or vegetables to be peeled;

The object"of the present invention is to provide an arrangement which has not this drawback and which allows quick replacement of a worn out or damaged portion.

According to the invention, the rotary spindle of the peeling machine carries a support on which are removably secured the end portions, oriented parallel with a radial direction, of at least one yoke-piece between the branches of which is clasped a block which supports resilient fingers adapted to assume a position parallel with the spindle and each of which receives a removable rigid clothing having abrasive properties.

According to another feature of the invention, the block entrapped between the branches of each yoke-piece is made of resilient material and extended into a plurality of parallel sections arranged near each other and adapted respectively to receive, for instance by means of a staple oriented longitudinally, a rigid gutter provided, on its peripheral surface, with abrasive elevated portions and, preferably, of a length greater than that of the section on which it is received.

Thus, it is possible to replace either the whole resilient block and the rigid gutters forming peeling fingers fixed therewith, by removing the yoke-piece and exing the branches thereof away from each other, or any of the gutters by removing the staple which secures it to the corresponding section, whereby dismounting the whole block is likely to facilitate this operation and, above all, the Securing of the spare gutters.

Other and further objects and advantages 'of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, from a consideration of the following description of one specie embodiment of the invention, shown by way of example, in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l represents in plan view, as seen from underneath, the rotary support driven by the power spindle and carrying a yoke-piece engaged with a set of peeling fingers,

Fig. 2 shows in elevational view, a set of peeling fingers and, in axial section, the rotary support,

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of peeling ngers as seen from the other face,

Fig. 4 is a section at right angles to the branches of a resilient yoke-piece, showing how the latter is locked on the rotary support,

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a yoke-piece according to the invention,

2,813,562 Patented Nov. 149, 7

Fig. l6 similarly represents the locking ring,

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the resilient block, and

Fig. 8 similarly represents the gutter adapted to be secured to each extension of this block so as to constitute a peeling finger.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, 1 denotes a substantially square-shaped plate having a central boss 1a with a fiat hole at its center forprovidingmovement from the spindle A, the edge of the hole being folded at right angles as at 2 in order to constitute a driving bearing surface of sufficient area.- The spindle is coaxially mounted in a cylindrical vessel V for rotary move-y ment therein. a

The plate 1 carries, at the periphery thereof, four sets, pairwise oppositely arranged, of two lugs 3 bent at right angles, and having noses 4 facing each other and the function of which will appear hereinunder. VIn thecentral boss 1a, four pairs of apertures 5 are located respectively in front of each set of lugs 3.

Through these apertures are engaged the end portions 6 (Fig. 5) of a yoke-piece, made of a metallic wire in the example, both branches 7 of which merge into a rounded portion 8 oriented in a plane perpendicular to their own plane and comprise, on one hand, portions 9 deviating outwardly and, on the other hand, outer notches 10 adapted to receive and maintain an oval ring 11 (Fig. 6).

Both branches 7 are adapted to clasp between themselves a resilient block 12 (Fig. 7) provided with longitudinal grooves 13 ensuring the fixity of the assemblage, and formed with extensions 14, live in number in the example, each pierced with two holes 15.

It will be understood that the dimensions of the block 12 are such that, when the branches 7 of the yoke-pieces clasp said block, the end portions 6 should be squeezed in order to be inserted into the apertures 5 of the boss 1a. The resilient deformations of said branches, moreover, provide for the locking effect, by virtue of the noses A (Fig. 4) of the perpendicular lugs 3, while the outwardly deviated portions 9 prevent the end portions 6 from getting out of the apertures 5 by abutting against said lugs.

Each of the extensions 14 is made rigid with a gutter 16 provided with abrasive elevated portions 17, by engagement of a staple 18 through the holes 15 and a hole 19 pierced through the gutter 16.

As many changes could be made in the above construction, and many widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope of the claims, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What I claim is:

l. A peeling machine compri-sing, in combination, a substantially cylindrical vessel; a support mounted for rotation about the axis of said vessel; at least one block formed from resilient material removably mounted on said support and projecting laterally therefrom; a plurality of elongated rigid members respectively removably connected at one end thereof to said resilient block and projecting therefrom spaced from each other substantially parallel to said axis so that these members are slightly tiltable with respect to each other due to the resiliency of said block to which they are connected; and abrasive means mounted on the outer surfaces of said members.

2. A peeling machine comprising, in combination, a substantially cylindrical vessel; a support mounted for rotation about the axis of said vessel; at least one block formed from resilient material removably mounted on said support and projecting laterally therefrom, said block having a plurality of lingers integrally formed therewith and projecting therefrom spaced from each other substantially parallel to said axis; a plurality of elon gated rigid channel members respectively removably connected at one end thereof to said fingers of said resilient block respectivelyl so as to partly enclose said fingers and projecting therefrom spaced from each other substantially parallel to said axis so that these members are slightly tiltable with respect to each other due to the resiliency of said lingers of said block to which they are connected; and abrasive means mounted on the outer surfaces of said members.

3. A peeling machine comprising, in combination, a substantially cylindrical vessel; a support mounted for rotation about the axis of said vessel; at least one block formed from resilient material removably mounted on said support and projecting in radial direction therefrom spaced from the bottom wall of said cylindrical vessel, said block having a plurality of lingers integrally formed therewith and projecting therefrom spaced from each other substantially parallel to said axis; a plurality of elongated rigid channel members respectively removably connected at one end thereof to said lingers of said resilient block respectively so as to partly enclose said lingers and projecting therefrom spaced from each other substantially parallel to said axis so that these members are slightly tiltable with respect to each other due to the resiliency of said lingers of said block to which they are connected; and abrasive means mounted on the outer surfaces of said members.

4. A peeling machine comprising, in combination, a substantially cylindrical vessel; a support mounted for rotation about the axis of said vessel; at least one elongated block formed from resilient material removably mounted on `Said support and projecting laterally therefrom, said block having a plurality of lingers integrally formed therewith and projecting therefrom spaced from each other substantially parallel to said axis, said block being formed with a pair of grooves extending substantially normal to said axis along opposite outer surfaces of said block; a yoke-shaped connecting member engaging said grooves and being removably connected to Isaid support so that said block is securely clamped between the two arms of said yoke-shaped member; a plurality of elongated rigid channel members respectively removably connected at one end thereof to said fingers of said resilient block respectively so as to partlyr enclose said fingers and projecting therefrom spaced from each other substantially parallel to said axis so that these members are slightly tiltable with respect to each other due to the resiliency of said fingers of said block to which they are connected; and abrasive means mounted on the outer surfaces of said members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

